The AFL licences of Port Adelaide and the Adelaide Crows have been released from the control of the SANFL.
The move effectively gives the two AFL clubs independent control of their operations for the first time in their history.
The AFL licences had previously been held by the SANFL, but have been released in return for payments of more than $18.5 million.
The SANFL will get $11.326m from the Crows and some $6.985m from Port in payments over the next 14 years.
The transfer of the AFL licences was approved by the SANFL directors late last year, with a heads of agreement announced on Thursday, SA Football Commission chairman John Olsen said.
"Through the agreement we have reached with the AFL, the two clubs will achieve the independence they have been seeking," he said in a statement, "while SA football will continue to benefit from the presence of the Adelaide and Port Adelaide football clubs for many years to come."
